If your child has a winter birthday and you can't stand the thought of another birthday party at a fast food establishment, take heart. Just because the weather outside is frightful, you don't have to despair of throwing your child a memorable party that will be easy on your house, your budget, and your sanity. And one that will make the most important day of your child's year everything that it should be. Here are four different party ideas that have been successes for other parents.

Sports Party
• "We have 8-year-old twins who love sports. For their last birthday, we had a great party with a sports theme. Our main attraction was baseball card bingo -- each child took nine cards and arranged them in a square. We had all the names on the cards written down for the "caller." We made invitations on the computer that looked like baseball game tickets. We served hot dogs wrapped in foil, root beer (from bottles) and peanuts. My husband walked around with a tray like an old fashioned vendor. The kids loved it!"
~ Parent Soup member my3sns, Missouri